Influence of an Atypical Summer on the Primary Productivity of Phytoplankton in Two Tropical Ponds

Abstract Primary productivity of phytoplankton was measured in two fish ponds at monthly intervals during two annual cycles, of which the second one included an unusual drought. The temporal course of variations in phytoplankton primary productivity was essentially similar in both annual cycles, exhibiting peaks and troughs during summer and winter, respectively. However, monthly mean values of gross and net primary productivity of phytoplankton during the second year were several times higher than during the first. The greatest difference between the two years of investigation was found in the summer peak of primary productivity. It is estimated that an increase of nitrogen or phosphate or the N/P ratio by one unit during the second year caused a 2 to 16‐fold enhancement of the rates of primary productivity. The seasonal changes of photosynthetic efficiency correlated with the concentrations of phosphate.